Local residents eat free food near their house, destroyed by Russian shelling, in Borodyanka, in Ukraine's Kyiv region. Reuters
Local residents eat free food near their house, destroyed by Russian shelling, in Borodyanka, in Ukraine's Kyiv region. Reuters
Local residents eat free food near their house, destroyed by Russian shelling, in Borodyanka, in Ukraine's Kyiv region. Reuters
Local residents eat free food near their house, destroyed by Russian shelling, in Borodyanka, in Ukraine's Kyiv region. Reuters

World

US

UN: Economic turmoil from Ukraine invasion hitting 1.7 billion globally

Chaos in food and energy markets due to the Russian assault is affecting a fifth of humanity, UN study finds

James Reinl
James Reinl
United Nations

April 13, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Live updates: follow the latest news on Russia-Ukraine

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has roiled global food and energy markets, exposing nearly a fifth of humanity to supply disruptions and the risks of poverty and hunger, UN chief Antonio Guterres warned on Wednesday.

The UN Secretary General said the invasion was “supercharging a three-dimensional crisis — food, energy and finance — that is pummelling some of the world’s most vulnerable people”.

He spoke as Russian forces continued shelling Ukrainian towns and cities in a war that began on February 24, killing thousands, hitting exports from “breadbasket” regions and prompting harsh sanctions against Moscow from mostly western nations.

“We are now facing a perfect storm that threatens to devastate the economies of developing countries,” Mr Guterres told reporters in New York.

“As many as 1.7 billion people — one third of whom are already living in poverty — are now highly exposed to disruptions in food, energy and finance systems that are triggering increases in poverty and hunger.”

A 22-page report released on Wednesday by the UN’s Global Crisis Response Group said 36 countries import more than half of their wheat from the breadbasket regions of Russia and Ukraine, where fighting has stopped farmers from planting crops.

They include many struggling and conflict-riven economies across the Middle East and Africa, including Egypt, Yemen, Libya, Syria, as well as wealthy importers in the oil-rich Gulf, such as Qatar and the UAE.

The British charity Oxfam said this week that Palestinian stockpiles of wheat could run out in three weeks because of 25 per cent price increases.

The group's country director Shane Stevenson said many Palestinians were “struggling to meet their basic needs".

Wheat prices have jumped by 30 per cent since the start of the year and fertiliser prices have doubled, the UN report says. Oil prices have surged by 60 per cent compared with last year, while natural gas prices have jumped by 50 per cent in recent months.

“As prices climb, so does hunger and malnutrition — especially for young children,” said Mr Guterres.

A boy rides a bicycle past a house that was damaged by shelling in Andriivka village, not far from Kyiv. EPA
A boy rides a bicycle past a house that was damaged by shelling in Andriivka village, not far from Kyiv. EPA
A destroyed residential building in Mariupol, south-eastern Ukraine. Reuters
A destroyed residential building in Mariupol, south-eastern Ukraine. Reuters
Firefighters at work on the outskirts of Kharkiv, north-east Ukraine. EPA
Firefighters at work on the outskirts of Kharkiv, north-east Ukraine. EPA
A torn Ukrainian flag in front of a ruined Mariupol apartment building. Reuters
A torn Ukrainian flag in front of a ruined Mariupol apartment building. Reuters
Residents who cleared debris after Russian shelling eat lunch outside a damaged building in Makariv, near Kyiv. EPA
Residents who cleared debris after Russian shelling eat lunch outside a damaged building in Makariv, near Kyiv. EPA
Children play with a therapeutic dog at a shelter organised by volunteers in Zaporizhzhya, Ukraine. Reuters
Children play with a therapeutic dog at a shelter organised by volunteers in Zaporizhzhya, Ukraine. Reuters
A girl stands by the door of a bunker in Severodonetsk, in eastern Ukraine's Donbas region, as Russian troops intensify a campaign to take the strategic port city of Mariupol. AFP
A girl stands by the door of a bunker in Severodonetsk, in eastern Ukraine's Donbas region, as Russian troops intensify a campaign to take the strategic port city of Mariupol. AFP
A firefighter at work following a missile attack near Kharkiv International Airport. Reuters
A firefighter at work following a missile attack near Kharkiv International Airport. Reuters
A Ukrainian fighter walks in front of a destroyed house in Bohdanivka village, north-east of Kyiv. AFP
A Ukrainian fighter walks in front of a destroyed house in Bohdanivka village, north-east of Kyiv. AFP
Two women hug outside a heavily damaged apartment block following an artillery attack in Kharkiv. Reuters
Two women hug outside a heavily damaged apartment block following an artillery attack in Kharkiv. Reuters
Ukrainian soldiers guard the village of Barvinkove, as Russia's invasion on Ukraine continues. Reuters
Ukrainian soldiers guard the village of Barvinkove, as Russia's invasion on Ukraine continues. Reuters
Leonid Serdiuchenko, a Ukrainian commander, stands next to destroyed vehicles outside Barvinkove. Reuters
Leonid Serdiuchenko, a Ukrainian commander, stands next to destroyed vehicles outside Barvinkove. Reuters
A woman carries the portrait of Dmytro Stefienko, 32, a civilian killed during the war, during his funeral in Bucha, Ukraine. AP
A woman carries the portrait of Dmytro Stefienko, 32, a civilian killed during the war, during his funeral in Bucha, Ukraine. AP
A Russian soldier collects weapons from inside the Mariupol drama theatre in Ukraine. AFP
A Russian soldier collects weapons from inside the Mariupol drama theatre in Ukraine. AFP
Relatives and friends attend the funeral of Andriy Matviychuk, 37, who served as a territorial defence soldier, who was captured and killed by the Russian army in Bucha, Ukraine. AP
Relatives and friends attend the funeral of Andriy Matviychuk, 37, who served as a territorial defence soldier, who was captured and killed by the Russian army in Bucha, Ukraine. AP
Anatoliy Morykin, 45, left, mourns the death of his mother, Valentyna Morykina, 82, who died in a retirement home in Bucha during the Russian invasion. AP
Anatoliy Morykin, 45, left, mourns the death of his mother, Valentyna Morykina, 82, who died in a retirement home in Bucha during the Russian invasion. AP
Nadiya, 65, shows a hole in a wall of a building after shelling in Zalissya, Ukraine. EPA
Nadiya, 65, shows a hole in a wall of a building after shelling in Zalissya, Ukraine. EPA
A booby trap found by locals near their home in Zalissya. EPA
A booby trap found by locals near their home in Zalissya. EPA
Debris of a school bus near a damaged school that was a base for Russian troops in Bohdanivka, Ukraine. EPA
Debris of a school bus near a damaged school that was a base for Russian troops in Bohdanivka, Ukraine. EPA
A man examines the debris of a destroyed Russian tank in Bohdanivka. EPA
A man examines the debris of a destroyed Russian tank in Bohdanivka. EPA
President Joe Biden speaks to the media before boarding Air Force One at Des Moines International Airport, en route to Washington. AP
President Joe Biden speaks to the media before boarding Air Force One at Des Moines International Airport, en route to Washington. AP
Valentina Saroyan sits in the basement of a school in Yahidne, near Chernihiv, Ukraine. AP
Valentina Saroyan sits in the basement of a school in Yahidne, near Chernihiv, Ukraine. AP
Vasyl Cherepenko stands next to a mass grave at a cemetery in Yahidne, near Dnipro, Ukraine. AP
Vasyl Cherepenko stands next to a mass grave at a cemetery in Yahidne, near Dnipro, Ukraine. AP
Oksana, second from left, and Yevhen, right, talk with police officers next to their apartment building damaged by shelling in Irpin, Ukraine. AP
Oksana, second from left, and Yevhen, right, talk with police officers next to their apartment building damaged by shelling in Irpin, Ukraine. AP
Women bid farewell to relatives as they leave the Slovyansk central station in the Donbas region. AFP
Women bid farewell to relatives as they leave the Slovyansk central station in the Donbas region. AFP
The partially destroyed Mariupol drama theatre in Ukraine, hit on March 16 by an air strike. AFP
The partially destroyed Mariupol drama theatre in Ukraine, hit on March 16 by an air strike. AFP
A man embraces his wife as she prepares to board a train at Slovyansk central station in the Donbas region. AFP
A man embraces his wife as she prepares to board a train at Slovyansk central station in the Donbas region. AFP
A woman walks through a damaged apartment building after a Russian attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine. AP
A woman walks through a damaged apartment building after a Russian attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine. AP
A missile pierces the road in front of the Kharkiv Regional State Administration building amid Russia's attack on Ukraine. Reuters
A missile pierces the road in front of the Kharkiv Regional State Administration building amid Russia's attack on Ukraine. Reuters
A boy walks by unexploded Russian shells in the village of Andriyivka close to Kyiv, Ukraine. AP
A boy walks by unexploded Russian shells in the village of Andriyivka close to Kyiv, Ukraine. AP
Ukrainian tanks move down a street in Irpin, on the outskirts of Kyiv. AP
Ukrainian tanks move down a street in Irpin, on the outskirts of Kyiv. AP
A man walks past a storage place for burned armed vehicles and cars, on the outskirts of Kyiv. AP
A man walks past a storage place for burned armed vehicles and cars, on the outskirts of Kyiv. AP
Local residents stand on top of a Russian tank on the outskirts of Kyiv. AP
Local residents stand on top of a Russian tank on the outskirts of Kyiv. AP
Ukrainian families, who have fled Kherson amid the Russian invasion, watch a dolphin show at a hotel in Odesa, Ukraine. Reuters
Ukrainian families, who have fled Kherson amid the Russian invasion, watch a dolphin show at a hotel in Odesa, Ukraine. Reuters
Residents stand outside their apartments as shops burn after a Russian attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine. AP
Residents stand outside their apartments as shops burn after a Russian attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine. AP
Irina Szymanska holds her baby in a temporary shelter at the central train station for displaced people heading to Poland in Lviv, Ukraine. Getty Images
Irina Szymanska holds her baby in a temporary shelter at the central train station for displaced people heading to Poland in Lviv, Ukraine. Getty Images
A man walks in his yard, damaged by shelling, in the village of Andriivka, Ukraine. EPA
A man walks in his yard, damaged by shelling, in the village of Andriivka, Ukraine. EPA
Sixty-two-year-old Luba hugs a Ukrainian servicewoman in Andriivka. EPA
Sixty-two-year-old Luba hugs a Ukrainian servicewoman in Andriivka. EPA
A woman washes clothes in the yard of a ruined house in Andriivka. EPA
A woman washes clothes in the yard of a ruined house in Andriivka. EPA
Russian soldiers patrol a street in Volnovakha, in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic. The picture was taken during a trip organised by the Russian military. AFP
Russian soldiers patrol a street in Volnovakha, in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic. The picture was taken during a trip organised by the Russian military. AFP
Russian mine clearers search for explosive objects in a building the Russian authorities say was damaged by Ukrainian shelling. AFP
Russian mine clearers search for explosive objects in a building the Russian authorities say was damaged by Ukrainian shelling. AFP
A woman reads a book as residents find shelter from shelling in a metro station in Kharkiv. Reuters
A woman reads a book as residents find shelter from shelling in a metro station in Kharkiv. Reuters
Firefighters try to contain a fire at a plant in Kharkiv following Russian shelling. Reuters
Firefighters try to contain a fire at a plant in Kharkiv following Russian shelling. Reuters
Farm owner Zlobina Lubov tends to her animals in the village of Malaya Rohan, Ukraine. Reuters
Farm owner Zlobina Lubov tends to her animals in the village of Malaya Rohan, Ukraine. Reuters
A bathtub is seen inside a building that was heavily damaged by shelling in Kharkiv. Reuters
A bathtub is seen inside a building that was heavily damaged by shelling in Kharkiv. Reuters
A man looks out of his window, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Borodianka. Reuters
A man looks out of his window, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Borodianka. Reuters
Soldiers 'came to my house and said go to the basement' Zinaida Makishaiva, 82, said, before they started to shoot around her. 'God saved my life,' she said. Reuters
Soldiers 'came to my house and said go to the basement' Zinaida Makishaiva, 82, said, before they started to shoot around her. 'God saved my life,' she said. Reuters
A mother waits for police officers to exhume the body of her son from a well at a fuel station in Buzova, Kyiv region. According to the head of the village, he was killed by Russian soldiers. Reuters
A mother waits for police officers to exhume the body of her son from a well at a fuel station in Buzova, Kyiv region. According to the head of the village, he was killed by Russian soldiers. Reuters

The study, titled the Global Impact of War in Ukraine on Food, Energy and Finance Systems, says many developing economies are being battered a second time after the ravaging effects of the coronavirus pandemic, supply line chaos and lockdowns.

“Many developing economies are drowning in debt, with bond yields already on the rise since last September, leading to increased risk premiums and exchange rate pressures,” said Mr Guterres.

“This is setting in motion a potential vicious circle of inflation and stagnation.”

Governments need to work together on “keeping a lid” on prices with a “steady flow of food and energy through open markets” and the lifting of export restrictions, said the former prime minister of Portugal.

Countries must “resist hoarding, and release strategic stockpiles and additional reserves” of food and energy, while shifting their economies to cleaner, renewable energy and supporting debt relief plans at this month’s World Bank meetings, he added.

The report makes no mention of the crippling economic sanctions that the US, Europe and others have imposed on Russia since it invaded Ukraine, which Moscow says is really to blame for supply shocks and inflation.

“Above all, this war must end,” said Mr Guterres.

“The people of Ukraine cannot bear the violence being inflicted on them. And the most vulnerable people around the globe cannot become collateral damage in yet another disaster for which they bear no responsibility.”

Zayed Sustainability Prize
The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

The biog

Name: Shamsa Hassan Safar

Nationality: Emirati

Education: Degree in emergency medical services at Higher Colleges of Technology

Favourite book: Between two hearts- Arabic novels

Favourite music: Mohammed Abdu and modern Arabic songs

Favourite way to spend time off: Family visits and spending time with friends

E-cigarettes report
More coverage from the Future Forum
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%202-litre%20direct%20injection%20turbo%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%207-speed%20automatic%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20261hp%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20400Nm%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20From%20Dh134%2C999%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

Plastic tipping point
What are the influencer academy modules?
  1. Mastery of audio-visual content creation. 
  2. Cinematography, shots and movement.
  3. All aspects of post-production.
  4. Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
  5. Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
  6. Tourism industry knowledge.
  7. Professional ethics.
Tomorrow 2021
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
War on waste
Our commentary on Brexit
While you're here
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
More on Quran memorisation:
Transgender report
School uniforms report
On Women's Day
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
More from Neighbourhood Watch
Dhadak 2

Director: Shazia Iqbal

Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri 

Rating: 1/5

Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
War and the virus
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Towering concerns
World Mental Health Day
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
World Mental Health Day
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The%20specs%3A%202024%20Mercedes%20E200
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%20four-cyl%20turbo%20%2B%20mild%20hybrid%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E204hp%20at%205%2C800rpm%20%2B23hp%20hybrid%20boost%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E320Nm%20at%201%2C800rpm%20%2B205Nm%20hybrid%20boost%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E9-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7.3L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENovember%2FDecember%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh205%2C000%20(estimate)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs

Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6

Power: 400hp

Torque: 475Nm

Transmission: 9-speed automatic

Price: From Dh215,900

On sale: Now

On Women's Day
Transgender report
Teams

Punjabi Legends Owners: Inzamam-ul-Haq and Intizar-ul-Haq; Key player: Misbah-ul-Haq

Pakhtoons Owners: Habib Khan and Tajuddin Khan; Key player: Shahid Afridi

Maratha Arabians Owners: Sohail Khan, Ali Tumbi, Parvez Khan; Key player: Virender Sehwag

Bangla Tigers Owners: Shirajuddin Alam, Yasin Choudhary, Neelesh Bhatnager, Anis and Rizwan Sajan; Key player: TBC

Colombo Lions Owners: Sri Lanka Cricket; Key player: TBC

Kerala Kings Owners: Hussain Adam Ali and Shafi Ul Mulk; Key player: Eoin Morgan

Venue Sharjah Cricket Stadium

Format 10 overs per side, matches last for 90 minutes

Timeline October 25: Around 120 players to be entered into a draft, to be held in Dubai; December 21: Matches start; December 24: Finals

Tomorrow 2021
While you're here
War on waste
While you're here
Our legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3.6-litre%2C%20V6%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eeight-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E285hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E353Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDh159%2C900%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Our commentary on Brexit
More on Quran memorisation:
While you're here
Tomorrow 2021
Afro%20salons
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFor%20women%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ESisu%20Hair%20Salon%2C%20Jumeirah%201%2C%20Dubai%3Cbr%3EBoho%20Salon%2C%20Al%20Barsha%20South%2C%20Dubai%3Cbr%3EMoonlight%2C%20Al%20Falah%20Street%2C%20Abu%20Dhabi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFor%20men%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EMK%20Barbershop%2C%20Dar%20Al%20Wasl%20Mall%2C%20Dubai%3Cbr%3ERegency%20Saloon%2C%20Al%20Zahiyah%2C%20Abu%20Dhabi%3Cbr%3EUptown%20Barbershop%2C%20Al%20Nasseriya%2C%20Sharjah%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
E-cigarette report
Our commentary on Brexit
While you're here
On Women's Day
THE%20JERSEYS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERed%20Jersey%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EGeneral%20Classification%2C%20sponsored%20by%20Fatima%20bint%20Mubarak%20Ladies%20Academy%3A%20Worn%20daily%2C%20starting%20from%20Stage%202%2C%20by%20the%20leader%20of%20the%20General%20Classification.%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EGreen%20Jersey%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EPoints%20Classification%2C%20sponsored%20by%20Bike%20Abu%20Dhabi%3A%20Worn%20daily%2C%20starting%20from%20Stage%202%2C%20by%20the%20fastest%20sprinter.%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWhite%20Jersey%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EYoung%20Rider%20Classification%2C%20sponsored%20by%20Abu%20Dhabi%20360%3A%20Worn%20daily%2C%20starting%20from%20Stage%202%2C%20by%20the%20best%20young%20rider%20(U25).%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBlack%20Jersey%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EIntermediate%20Sprint%20Classification%2C%20sponsored%20by%20Experience%20Abu%20Dhabi%3A%20Worn%20daily%2C%20starting%20from%20Stage%202%2C%20by%20the%20rider%20who%20has%20gained%20most%20Intermediate%20sprint%20points.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
More on animal trafficking
More on this story
%20Ramez%20Gab%20Min%20El%20Akher
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStreaming%20on%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMBC%20Shahid%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha

Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar

Director: Neeraj Pandey

Rating: 2.5/5

Plastic tipping points
Zayed Sustainability Prize
You might also like
Fixtures

50-over match

UAE v Lancashire, starts at 10am

Champion County match

MCC v Surrey, four-day match, starting on Sunday, March 24, play starts at 10am

Both matches are at ICC Academy, Dubai Sports City. Admission is free.

While you're here
While you're here
Updated: April 13, 2022, 4:01 PM`
UNRussiaAntonio Guterres